Side A: Miranda Boulden Parker lived at 2644 Marsh Avenue from 1907 to 1915. She moved into the four-family rental home with her daughters Bianca and Portia, who both worked as teachers. Miranda Parker was the widow of John P. Parker, Ripley’s Underground Railroad hero, born into slavery who famously helped more than 400 fugitives escape to freedom. In March 1914, after several vacant apartments in their Marsh Avenue home were repeatedly vandalized, daughter Bianca assumed the role as building caretaker. When she appealed to the police for help against vandals breaking windowpanes, shutters, and transoms, the police made no effort to arrest the offenders. Instead, the Health Department issued a 24-hour eviction notice. Bianca Parker sued Norwood’s Health Officer and Chief of Police unsuccessfully. The Parker family left Norwood for the more welcoming and integrated Madisonville neighborhood.
Side B: Marsh Park was established by the City of Norwood in 1923 in an effort to prevent Black families owning homes in Norwood. Although white residents had tolerated the four-family building rented to “respectable” Black families for many years, the purchase of one lot and the fear of further sales caused public outcry. George and Sarah Hirst rented 2646 Marsh Avenue before purchasing the vacant lot next door on July 5, 1922. When they hired Black contractors to build their house, white neighbors feared that a “Negro colony” would develop and petitioned Norwood City Council to take action. In response, Council declared eminent domain and seized the Hirst’s land, its adjacent empty lots, and demolished the four-family apartment to create the new park. Despite their appeals, the Hirst’s removed to Walnut Hills in 1923.
Sponsors: William G. Pomeroy Foundation, Norwood Historical Society, City of Norwood, Ohio History Connection
